Experiences at Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady Struggles and Achievements

The discussions for establishing Sanskrit University in Kerala was alive among the Sanskrit scholars and lovers of Sanskrit during the decades after independence and the formation of the state. The idea was under consideration at the Govt. level also in the following years as a result of the pressures of various kinds in this regard. All these got a definite form in 1971 when the Govt. of Kerala appointed a single man commission officially for submitting a detailed report for establishing a Sanskrit University in Kerala. Dr. P.K Narayana Pilla, Sanskrit scholar and writer, was appointed as the commission. He visited various Centers of Sanskrit all over Kerala to collect data and ideas for the purpose.

Dr. C. M. Neelakandhan, birth: 1952. Was teacher in Sanskrit Sahitya at Govt. Sanskrit College, Pattambi for about ninteen years. After that worked as Reader and Professor in charge in Sahitya & Vedic Studies at Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady for seventeen years. On retirement continued there as Publication Director. Served at Kerala Kalamandalam Deemed to be University for Art and Culture, Cheruthuruthy, Trissur District, Kerala, for three years as Academic Director. Author/Editor/Co-Editor of several books and monographs in Sanskrit/English/Malayalam on Vedic Studies, Sanskrit Criticism, Indian Culture etc. Receipiant of many state/national level awards and recognitions. Member/Chairman/Secretary of various cultural bodies and academic committees in Universities in and outside Kerala and in Govt. and Non-Govt. Organisations. Co-ordinator of/Co-ordinating many State/National/International level Seminars and Workshops. Carried out/carrying out various academic projects like cataloging of the Manuscripts of Kerala along with Prof. Ashok Aklujkar, British Columbia University, Canada, Audio/Vidco Documentation of Complete Jaiminiya Samaveda of Kerala tradition for ninty five hours for Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady and Kadavallur Anyonyam (traditional Vedic recitation competition preserved in Kerala) for Vedic Portal, IGNCA, New Delhi. Supervisor of Supervising at present many M. Phil./Ph.D. students.

Life is a mystery, miracle. Taking into account the difficulties of life I had to suffer in my childhood, it is a wonder that I could achieve so much. Still, I am aware that there are heights that can be conquered if I work with more vigour, enthusiasm and dedication. At the same time, I am fully contented with whatever I could do in the short spam of life. I dedicate all my achievements to my Gurus and parents who were always kind enough to lead me in the right way.

Most important thing I learned in my life is that with sincerity. dedication, hard work, right vision and true perspective, one can achieve the missions of life. Puruṣakära is surely more to be depended upon than Daivakära, as the latter will shower blessings on us if only the former is executed well.

This is a brief sketch of my experiences at Sree Sankara- charya University of Sanskrit, Kalady, as a teacher. Surely the struggles were very less when compared to the achievements. The struggles are those that were faced by all commonly at that time which are inevitable in the beginning stages of the development of any institution like a University.

I express my sincere gratitude to the authorities of the University, my collegues, students and friends, who co-operated with me and encouraged me in my endeamours in all ways. I am also thankful to Dr. K. Muthulakshmi, present Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University for providing a suitable foreword to this monograph. From the days of her recruitment as faculty in the University, she, like many other young talented teachers there, was with me in all academic activities with full support.

Thanks are due to New Bharatiya Book Corporation, New Delhi, for accepting this as their publication and to Smt. Sudanjali Soman for doing the DTP work.

Once again I dedicate this monograph to my Gurus, parents, authorities of the University in the different phases of my work there and the members of the academic field who are/were always with me.

It is with great pleasure that I am writing this foreword to the book Experiences at Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady-Struggles and Achievements by Dr. C. M. Neelakandhan, Vaishnavam Trust Series, Shoranur, published by New Bharatiya Book Corporation, New Delhi. Reading this book is primarily a flashback into the history of Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady, Kerala. As one who is part of this institution and has benefitted from its academic atmosphere, apart from having played a humble part in several academic activities mentioned in this book, I feel proud, and think it is my duty to introduce this work to the larger world.

Apart from being the personal account of a scholar and teacher, this book answers the question as to what is meant by academic perspective. Academic perspective is something more than mere scholarship; it is something that orients one's entire activities in the academic direction whether it be policy decisions, organizational efforts, publication endeavours, attainment of knowledge or its dissemination. The unconditional commitment and keen academic spirit of Neelakandhan Sir is reflected in each activity described in this book.

This book is also a historical document as it charts the history of Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit right from the preliminary discussions about it among Sanskrit lovers and Government functionaries, up to its inception. The establishment of Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit at Kalady in 1993 and the several hurdles that it faced in its early days are all recorded here. The relentless efforts of the academic community that includes stalwarts like Neelakandhan Sir to overcome such hurdles are also recounted in the book. The various suggestions submitted by ASSUT, the teachers' organization in SSUS to streamline the functions and strengthen the academic programmes of regional campuses also find mention in this book.

The detailed description about the process of audio-video documentation of Kerala Samaveda tradition is another shining testimony to the patient and dedicated efforts of Neelakandhan Sir with the support and cooperation of many individuals and institutions.

Among various such efforts, the visionary zeal of Neelakandhan Sir in establishing the School of Vedic studies deserves special mention. Several other activities that can be considered as the extension activities of School of Vedic Studies are also recorded in a systematic and lucid manner. Activities associated with Centre of Heritage Studies, Trippunithura, Kadavallur Anyonyaparishad and Brahmaswam Madham, Thrissur definitely broadened the academic domain of School of Vedic studies. Likewise, audiovisual recording of Padapatha of Rgveda and Yajurveda traditions of Kerala and traditional Kerala style chanting of Kausitaki- brāhmaṇa, the audiovisual documentation of the complete proceedings of Kadavallur Anyonyam etc. were also done with the financial assistance from IGNCA, New Delhi. Association with Olappamanna Deviprasadam Trust is another initiative that offered a platform for honouring many scholars and artists from different fields.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages